Star Wars D6: Green Vipers Episode III

Episode III - The Heat of Freedom

Introduction:

The third instalment of our Green Vipers adventures sees the team continue the Long Shot campaign. This adventure took three sessions to run and made use of the published outline "The Heat of Freedom" which featured in West End Games' "Classic Adventures" book. I had to find an image for the factory and then flesh out all of the locations. I own none of the images, all of which were sourced from Google. This is an advert-free, non-for-profit blog.

Numbers in brackets refer to locations on the GM Map (see further down).

Nowhere:

Music Cue: Rebel Briefing

Returning to the capital ship Nowhere, the team are told to report to Lens Reekeene to provide an account of their time on Masterhome. As they approach the room, a black-haired wookiee barges through their midst. A grim-faced woman barely notices the Vipers as she follows in the wookiee's wake.

Falynn Voidstepper

Kentara

Lens and Mikka Reekeene are in the room, along with their advisor Santhou. Captain Ixsthmus and Sienne Symm follow the Vipers inside and all take a seat.

Lens: We understand that your mission was a success and that the Godking will provide us with aid. Perhaps you could provide us with a brief outline of events on Masterhome?

Lens allows Tarrik Nightburner to set out the events before her demeanour hardens and the questioning begins to feel more like an interrogation.

Lens: Captain Ixsthmus sent me on a report before you arrived. He gave you a strict instruction to contact the Rebellion to pick up the pirate ship - the Martinette - yet you chose to claim the vessel for yourselves. Furthermore, in the process of landing, that vessel made a display of its firepower. My recollection of your instructions when dealing with these technologically challenged people were that they were very clear. How did you put it advisor?

Santhou: I believe I said 'remember, we are the good guys. No coercion, no extortion, no threats'.

Tarrik denies any recollection of that being said and insists Santhou is mistaken. Santhou draws a holographic projector from his pocket and replays this fragment of the conversation. It repeats his words verbatim. Tarrik's demeanour darkens and he falls silent.

Lens: Yes, 'no threats'. Captain Ixsthmus also had a conversation with the Godking before you left. One of the Godking's tests was of loyalty; when he sent one of his people with a suggestion to depose him, you did nothing to raise this with the Godking. Indeed, he believed you may have been considering assassinating him! Hardly a ringing endorsement for the Rebellion, is it?

General Lens Reekeene

The group - and Nightburner in particular - respond angrily, explaining that they did what they thought was right. The display of firepower was not intended to cow the Anointed Ones, rather to show them the kind of firepower the Empire could bring to bear upon their people. On top of that, the Martinette was the reason that 15 Stormtroopers were sent into the forest to investigate: had that not happened, they may have all been killed on the assault upon the shuttle.

Lens: This Rebellion depends on people who can follow orders! And any more insubordination from you Nightburner, and you can spend the next few months on the brig! Jericho, you're needed for pilot duties on one of our transports, report back to the hangar bay for reassignment.

Jaden sighs and, with an annoyed grunt, waves goodbye to the group. Lens waits until he has exited before continuing.

Lens: However...you did manage to do some things right. On board that ship and among those you captured was Moff Dixton. He was headed for Doneer'so when some of our boys hit his vessel. The Imperials managed to make the jump before we could finish the job - hence their impromptu and unfortunate landing on Masterhome. Dixon's interrogation is about to begin, but we've already discovered important information from the data tapes recovered, thanks to Sienne Symm on the return journey. And that's where you come in. Santhou, if you'd explain...

Santhou sets out a mission to the volcanic world of Alabash where the team have to shut down an automated mining platform, highlighting that the Vipers are being sent because diplomacy is not required on this mission. They are then sent to visit Captain Hark'r for supplies.

Hark'r is excited to see the Vipers as they report to him.

Hark'r: Sssss-chk-chk! The excellent and most resourceful Green Vipers! What a delight to see you again! I have some very exciting supplies for you! ReProBu uniforms, passwords, identities, protective coats for the heat - [to Jimi] yes, you'll like those my Mon Calamari friend - chk-chk-chk! But best of all, I have 25 detonators for you! Hasn't old Captain Hark'r done well for you, eh, my good friends? Chk-chk-chk! Now, one good turn deserves another! Perhaps you could smuggle me off this cold, dark ship, eh? Chk-chk-chk!

Captain Hark'r

Nightburner: Yeah, we're headed to a world torn apart by active volcanoes. We can drop you off there.

Hark'r: Ssss-chk-chk! Perhaps not this time, but when you visit a more hospitable world, eh?

The team ask why Hark'r wants off Nowhere. He explains that he is a trader and who had the misfortune to stumble across Nowhere. The Rebels insisted he stay and he's been stuck here in the store ever since, a complete waste of his talents. The team are distracted to by the sound of distant screaming and ask Hark'r what is going on.

Hark'r: Sss-chk-chk! Yessss...the interrogation of your prisoner begins! I understand that is why Falynn Voidstepper and her sidekick Kentara are here. Dixon doesn't stand a chance, no! He'll talk all right! He'll spill all of his secrets - or Kentara will spill his guts! Chk-chk-chk!

The group feel uneasy about the situation, but, collect together their supplies and head to the Long Shot. On board, they are met by Captain Ixsthmus.

Ixsthmus: Ah, Vipers! I trust that I will not have to file any further reports for insubordination! While you're under my command, I want you to treat this ship like your own home - but show me some manners and respect and we'll all get on well.

Captain Ixsthmus

The Vipers do not respond, simply strapping themselves in as Nightburner blasts off. In a show of petulance, he buzzes Nowhere's bridge before engaging light speed.

Watch the video for the full lowdown on the mission...

A Needle in a Molten Ocean

Music Cue: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul

Coming out of hyperspace, the Vipers discover a communications satellite in orbit. Kaleban Maars puts on a vacuum suit as Nightburner brings the Long Shot in close to the satellite. Kaleban sets a timer on a thermal detonator for two and a half hours, planting it on the satellite before returning to the ship.

The Long Shot descends through the thick black plumes of noxious gas that fill Alabash's choked skies, and, soon after a close call with a huge flying beast, they discover the platform. Jimi Ackbar opens communications and a droid voice asks him to state their business. Explaining they are ReProBu representatives, he provides passwords and the Long Shot is given permission to land.

As they approach, they see a huge 500 metre by 500 metre slab of technology floating above the ground. At the front of the platform, huge tubes suck in a swathe of land 100 metres wide (1), while exhaust ports spray out huge gouts of pulverised dust in their wake (2). Huge repulsorlifts keep the platform aloft and heat shielding protects it from the scorching heat of the molten surface below.

GM Map

Nightburner carefully avoids the plumes, following the beacon in to a platform (3). When they touch down, the pad descends into a cavern below, while huge doors close above, sealing them in. Leaving Ixsthmus and Symm on board the Long Shot, the team disembark and enter the facility where they are met by reception droids (4) who instruct the group to take a seat and wait. As time passes, they ask the droids to show them around. They are informed that their passes and codes are out of date and that they must wait 48 hours until their identities can be verified. Huge blast doors seal the room off from the Long Shot.

Trapped, they decide to wait until the communications satellite is destroyed by Kaleban's thermal detonator before making their move...

Nightburner: I have a very bad feeling about this.

Abandon All Hope...

Not knowing for sure if the communications satellite was destroyed by the thermal detonator, the Vipers make their move. They hack the terminal leading into the facility. The blast doors slide open, only to discover two Droidekas blocking their path!

Droideka

Watching his friends' blaster bolts simply bouncing off the droid shields, Jimi Ackbar seizes the initiative by tossing a thermal detonator into the corridor and hastily closes the door back over again. When the doors reopen, there is nothing left except a puddle of molten metal!

Jimi Ackbar

Music Cue: The Battle in the Snow

Rushing to the repulsorlift engine room (5), they are confronted by a huge maintenance droid which has a range of deadly hardware in its toolkit! As it lumbers towards the, they pepper it with blaster fire but its armour is so thick, they barely dent it - and so beat a hasty retreat! Even the normally cavalier JiBa is forced to flee!

Maintenance Droid

Music Cue: The Sith Spacecraft and the Droid Battle

Seeking an alternative route through the centre of the plant, the group encounter a number of battle droids. Exchanges of blaster fire are fierce, but slowly the team pushes on until they arrive at the corridor which leads into the storage room (7). There they engage in a firefight with another 6 battle droids but, just as they begin to make progress through the corridor, a Superbattle Droid appears at the doorway and shoves a Battle Droid to one side, opening fire upon JiBa!

Battle and Super Battle Droids in action!

For once, his ability to dodge incoming enemy fire fails and he is struck in the chest by the droid's heavy laser fire! Jimi calls on all his reserves to hurriedly drag the unconscious JiBa into the relative safety out of sight from the firefight into the adjacent corridor, while Kaleban and Kira step up to blast at the still-advancing droids. The last survivor from Yavin's Green Squadron, Tarrik Nightburner, rolls a thermal detonator into the midst of the cluster of droids and a massive explosion tears through the corridor!

Tarrik Nightburner

The droids are blasted into oblivion - but the heroes are too close to the explosion! Realising his error in the last moment, Tarrik throws himself in front of Kira to save her. Both she and Kaleban are badly burned in the explosion, and are knocked unconscious. When Jimi returns to the corridor, he finds his friends incapacitated...and Tarrik's charred skeletal remains.

Jimi and Skye have no time for mourning as they now have three incapacitated warriors to attend to. All of their remaining medkits are cracked open and, fortunately, their combined attentions are enough to revive their friends and partially heal some of their wounds. Jimi mournfully searches the corridor where Tarrik fell and finds a scorched remnant of Tarrik's flight suit which displays the Green Squadron badge. Pocketing it, he realises that the last of the heroes who drew off the Death Star's TIE squadrons to allow Red and Gold Squadrons to make their attack on the has now fallen. Their sacrifice - and Tarrik's last act which undoubtedly saved Kira from certain death - will never be forgotten.

Music Cue: General Grevious

Pushing into the Storage Room (7), a huge conveyor belt dumps metal into a pit in the centre of the room. Jimi sees that in that huge pit, dozens of docile labour droids sift through the metals, looking for precious alantium. Of more concern is another approaching group of battle droids and yet another firefight ensues! Several droids are picked off in the battle, providing JiBa with the perfect cover to rush around the outer rim of the room - and tossing a thermal detonator into the droids' midst! All are torn apart, and this time the team are far away enough to be unaffected by the explosion! The battle over, all suddenly seems quiet.

JiBa

The team push into the Droid Maintenance bay (8) but only find a harmless Overseer Droid, before pressing on to the Control Area (9). Jimi is first in and looks upon the huge piece of machinery in the centre of the room. He doesn't recognise what it is...but he has a very bad feeling about it!

Music Cue: Battle of the Heroes

What looked to be eight solid struts suddenly rise up with a fluidity that stuns and amazes the party. Out the centre of the cluster of tentacles, a Control Droid rises up, the red glow of its eye suggesting malevolent intent. "You are not permitted here," a familiar voice, the one that guided them into the platform announces. "You will be disassembled."

Control Droid

One of the tentacles lashes out at Jimi, slamming into the wall behind him, and tearing plaster loose as it retracts! Jimi turns and flees. Kaleban and JiBa prime another thermal detonator and hurl it at the machine...but it fails to detonate! The machine casually flicks a tentacle to bat it right back between the two Rebels - while another stabs out at Kaleban! Its pincer pierces straight through Kaleban's leg before retracting once again! Clutching at the gaping wound, he collapses from shock and blood loss, and once again passes out!

Kaleban Maars

JiBa picks up the thermal detonator and, determined to save his friends, activates it and rushes at the machine - but sensing the danger, it suddenly plummets down a pipe it was nesting upon. Gazing down into the hole, JiBa sees that a platform, illuminated by the red glow of lava, lies fifteen feet below. Crucially, the machine has already scuttled out of sight. JiBa hurls the thermal detonator down the pipe in the nick of time as it suddenly detonates and knocks him back from the blast! The group use the opportunity to retreat and regroup - but cannot revive the unconscious Kaleban as they have no medpacs left!

Dragging their incapacitated mercenary friend along with them, they make a desperate break for the Control Room (10) and frantically try to override the security protocols to open the doors. A tentacle re-emerges from the chute, and then another. The control droid pulls itself out of the pipe and pursues them to the Control Room. The door slides open and the team throw themselves inside. Jimi hurls another thermal detonator at the mechanical monstrosity, but it barely causes the machine to pause.

Inside the Control Room, Skye and Kira disable the heat shields which protect the platform from the intense heat of the lava, while Jimi unlocks the computer systems. As Kaleban begins to regain consciousness, JiBa issues urgent calls for them to move quickly as the control droid starts battering at the locked doors to the control room. Trapped, it seems they are facing a certain and horrendous death at the hands of the tentacled droid. As Kira and Skye rejoin Jimi and also hack the computer systems, Kira activates a magnetic lock on the door, causing the droid to emit a high-pitched scream and suddenly cease it's assault upon the door.

Kira Rishkar

Seeing no other way out, Skye activates the missile defence system and targets the far end of the room. Everyone dives for cover as the rockets are launched...and moments later the room is blown apart! Fortunately, the impact crater from the explosion has provided an escape route to another part of the facility! Jimi releases the huge hangar doors imprisoning the Long Shot and overrides the facility's navigational controls, and, switching them to manual, he sets the platform on a course for a nearby volcano!

Skye Bodelyn

Music Cue: Anakin v Obi-Wan

With Skye offering the limping Kaleban support, the team embark upon a mad dash across the base. Soon, returning to the Long Shot, they discover Captain Ixsthmus and Sienne Symm were knocked unconscious by gas! Fortunately, the team were provided breathing apparatus by Captain Hark'r and, piloted by Skye and Kira, make a hurried blast off. As they clear the hangar, Skye spots something leaping from the lip of the hangar and cries a warning. At the same moment, the mining platform teeters on the edge of the volcano before suddenly flipping over and down into the lava pit! Skye and Kira take evasive manoeuvres as the volcano is sent into cataclysm and the explosion threatens to engulf the Long Shot! Skye and Kira struggle to keep the ship in the air as boiling boulders rain down all around them!

The Mining Facility is no more!

Though still badly wounded, JiBa mans the ship's laser cannon and spins the gunnery chair around...only to come face to face with the Control Droid which is climbing across the surface by stabbing its tentacles into the ship's hull! Though the sudden fright of the mechanical overlord causes him to jump in his chair, he instinctively clenches the trigger and, unleashes a volley of shots which sever several of the machine's tentacled legs off, and, untethered, the Control Droid slides off the ship's hull and into the volcanic inferno! Skye and Kira gun the ship high into the sky and, moments later, make the jump to hyperspace.

Skye: We're clear!

Return to Nowhere

Music Cue: Rebel Briefing

Back on the base, General Lens Reekeene thanks them for making the mission a complete success. She is saddened to hear of Tarrik Nightburner's death - although JiBa is unimpressed, being quick to explain that his demise was due to his own idiocy in mishandling thermal detonators. With Tarrik dead though, she needs a new Captain to lead the group. JiBa volunteers, but the team vocal in their concerns about allowing the unpredictable native taking command. Somewhat reluctantly, Mon Calamari Jimi Ackbar accepts the team's call for him to take command.

Jimi: You do me great honour. I will do my upmost to lead the Green Vipers to further success.

Lens has more grim news for the Vipers, showing a transmission from Jaden Jericho who was piloting a Rebel Transport. He calls for aid, but before the end of the transmission he draws two heavy blaster pistols and opens fire upon pirates who have boarded the ship. Several pirates fall under his fire...until Jaden is finally overwhelmed and, he too, falls under blaster fire!

Jaden Jericho

Lens: As well as Jericho, we lost several other valued Rebel operatives...and, worse still, data critical to the security of this base. If it falls into the wrong hands... We were wrong to ignore this pirate menace. The information you learned on Masterhome identified their base as being on Pilahni. We want you to go to Pilahni and retrieve the data. Given that you have a personal stake in this, I know you'll need no encouragement to do whatever's in your power to shut this operation down for good - but any other objectives are secondary to retrieving the data! Go, and may the force be with you!

The team report to Captain Hark'r but, instead of providing the team with equipment, he demands the return of any thermal detonators the team still have! Everyone returns theirs, but JiBa cons Hark'r into believing that he has none. Thinking he has got away with it, JiBa is in a buoyant mood as they head back to the Long Shot...only to be met by a Rebel security team who demand the return of the five thermal detonators he is still carrying! Sensing betrayal from his own team, he casts accusing glances at his fellow crew - but can't tell who - if any of them - are responsible! Furious, he hands over the grenades and storms on to the Long Shot. The moment gives the team a moment for shared amusement, but it is tempered by a sense of loss. In as many days, they have lost two of their teammates. Which one of them might be next?

Music Cue: Finale (The Empire Strikes Back)

As they blast off from Nowhere, they see that weapons are being fitted to the capital ship, and R2 units continue to weld armour plating to the hull. Things seem to be looking up for General Reekeene's Capital Ship Base. If only the same could be said for the Green Vipers...

Nowhere

To be continued...

Closing Reflections

The adventure outline in the campaign pack was extremely thin on the detail required to run what was essentially a grinding dungeon crawler of a mission. I'll put up another post with all of my additions for other GMs to use and do with as they please if they have interest in running the adventure. 

I did try to balance the threat with that set out in the previous adventure and from the other outlines: They faced two teams of 15 Battle Droids, each headed by a Super-Battle Droid, but the Maintenance Droid, and Control Droid in particular really put the fear into the players - and rightly so as their armour made them formidable opponents! The obvious way to deal with them was to use Thermal Detonators, but after Tarrik's blunder, they were understandably reluctant to use them! Jimi was also unfortunate that his thermal detonator which delivered 10D damage against the 8D armour of the droid only caused a stun. There's no doubt that the firefights with the two droid teams were punishing, and it was interesting to see just how powerful the thermal detonators were. Tarrik's misjudgement of the blast radius proved fatal for him and could easily have killed both Kaleban and Kira - thankfully, they were 'only' incapacitated! With medpacs exhausted and most of the team wounded, the closing stages of the adventure had the players on edge and I had personal concerns that a TPK was a possible outcome!

Once they hit the control room, they were completely trapped, but I had accounted for there being access to weapons systems and Skye's quick thinking about trying to blow a hole between the control room and another room behind it was one of those moments of inspired player ingenuity that a GM should always roll with. Rolls were made for dodges as huge pieces of machinery were blown across the room, and Kaleban in particular was fortunate not to suffer yet further damage - but the idea was their salvation!

Jaden Jericho was killed off because he had a player drop out, but Tarrik's demise came as a result of in-game play. I was sorry to see him go as he was an interesting character - but pleased that it was all of his own doing, and not as a direct consequence of any of my machinations as GM! Despite this character death, the feedback is that the players are thriving on the challenges they are facing!

   

  

Star Wars D6: Green Vipers Episode II

Episode II - Tests of the Godking

Introduction:

The second instalment of our Green Vipers adventures sees the team begin the Long Shot campaign. This adventure took three sessions to run and made use of the published adventure "Tests of the Godking" which featured in West End Games' "Classic Adventures" book. I own none of the images, all of which were sourced from Google. This is an advert-free, non-for-profit blog.

Pirates of the Void:

Dropping out of hyperspace, the Long Shot receive a message from a Captain Jayhawk who claims to be a member of the Rebellion. Jayhawk tells them they will be boarded and supplies confiscated for the Rebellion - but their YT-1300, the Martinette, is not a known Rebel vessel and its configuration, with boosted sublight engines and heavy shielding, attracts suspicion.

Music Cue: Into the Trap

Both ships exchange fire and a chase ensues... However, unable to outrun the vessel, a stalemate ensues as neither ship's weapons is able to inflict any damage on the other. Although smuggler Jaden Jericho has proven more than capable of preventing the vessel docking with some impressive evasive manoeuvres, he decides to allow the enemy vessel to dock.

Smuggler Jaden Jericho

Music Cue: Imperial Attack

Sword drawn, JiBa climbs the ladders up to the airlock door. He plans to board the enemy vessel as soon as they open the airlock. But the airlock is blown apart and JiBa severely wounded! He lands upon Tarrik Nightburner below - painful for both of them! As JiBa crawls to safety, the prone Tarrik is shot by blasters and incapacitated!

Tough Native JiBa

Despite the hostile fire, the Rebel team set blasters to stun in case the boarding party are working for the Rebellion. A fierce firefight ensues with both sides trading blaster shots. Several of the boarding party are knocked unconscious before Jericho hurtles a stun grenade onto the Martinette, subduing the remaining attackers! 

Captain Jayhawk

The team board the ship, discovering the crew of the Martinette are not Rebels but pirates! JiBa begins lancing the incapacitated pirates with his blade - "they failed in battle and deserve an honourable death" - much to the dismay of fellow Rebels Skye Bodelyn and Kira Rishkar! After an angry exchange with the bemused JiBa, Skye puts herself between JiBa and his next intended victim. Told that he can kill the pirates later, JiBa relents and the the unconscious Captain Jayhawk and her crew are thrown into the brig on the Long Shot. 

Kira cracks open several medpacks to revive and patch up JiBa and Nightburner. Against the wishes of Captain Ixsthmus who wants to contact Nowhere to have other Rebels pick the ship up, Jericho and JiBa take control of the Martinette. Jimi Ackbar performs sensors scans of Masterhome, and they discover that the forest world only has one major city where approximately 20,000 of the so-called "Anointed Ones" live. They take both ships down. As they near the ground, Jericho detaches from the Long Shot and performs several loops, while JiBa fires several shots to display their firepower. Observing from the Long Shot, Captain Ixsthmus is appalled as, at the very least, this goes against the spirit of the  instructions the team were given by Santhou onboard Nowhere: "Remember, we are the good guys. No coercion, no extortion, no threats..." 

Rebels in the Godking's Court

Music Cue: The Little People Work followed by Luke and Leia

With both ships now having touched down, they are approached by the lizard people - the Anointed Ones - who live in the city. They are in awe of their "sky chariots" and, on the rebel's instruction, take them to the castle where the Godking can be found. An honour guard meet them at the castle and take them inside.

The Godking himself is the most unremarkable of his species and seems slightly aloof to his subjects, not to mention unimpressed by the strangers. Nightburner explains the reason for their mission but the Godking is wary of aiding the rebels, and points out that their technology has not aided their cause in defeating this Empire. Indeed, when they inform him that the Empire had the ability to destroy worlds, his reluctance increases. When Nightburner boasts that the Death Star was destroyed thanks to the heroics of Green Squadron, the Godking requests that they talk more over a feast of griff-meat.

The Anointed Ones

JiBa decides he wants to pay a visit to the local weapon-smith but, with the honour-guard of twenty Anointed Ones assigned to accompany them, he cannot sneak away unnoticed by the rest of the group. Concerned as to what damage he might get into, the entire party - excepting smuggler Jaden - accompany him to the store. Unimpressed by the quality of blades at their disposal, JiBa spots that the honour-guard carry a bespoke "Blade of Honour" and learns that they can only attained by defeating a dangerous creature called an "eater".

Jaden seeks out the closest thing there is to a casino and attempts to join a game of cards. Unfortunately, the Anointed Ones only gamble gold and not Imperial credits - and he fails in his bid to dupe the technologically challenged creatures into believing that a comlink is a communicator to their gods. As the gamblers react angrily, Jaden's guard escort him away before he causes a riot.

Music Cue: The City in the Clouds

At the feast, the group are served roasted bugs and skewered rodents. Tarrik Nightburner feels drowsy while Jimi feels nauseous and Kira feels agonising pain in her stomach! Not wishing to offend their hosts, they manage to mask their discomfort. Tarrik is challenged by the Godking to an arm-wresting contest, but is defeated by the deceptively strong Godking. JiBa boasts that he would not be so easily bested and the Godking accepts the challenge. Unfortunately for JiBa, he too underestimates his opponent and is flipped on to the floor! Kaleban is quietly approached by another Anointed One - Satrank - who informs him that the Godking is weak and that with their help, he can be overthrown. Kaleban does not commit do any course of action, deciding instead to discuss the proposal with the group in a more discreet location later on. The Godking brings the feast to a close by inviting the team to a hunt the following day. They then return to the Long Shot.

Former Mercenary Kaleban Maars

In the morning, Captain Ixthsmus is displeased by their apparent lack of progress - and the disrespectful responses he receives! Washing his hands of them, Kaleban explains to the team the proposal from Satrank. The team discuss assassinating the Godking, but, at the insistence of Jimi, put their plans on hold until they learn more about how the people feel about the Godking.

Music Cue: The Land of the Sandpeople

The Godking leads the group - mounted on riding beasts called Likkas - into the forest and, abandoning them in a clearing where there are cattle-like griffs, he and his group disappear into the tree-line to watch the team at work. They make short work of putting down the docile creatures and JiBa revels in the moment as he slices open the jugular of one of the beasts, drenching him in blood! Delighted with their work, they shout to the Godking that their task is completed. The Godking laughs and explains that the hunt has only just begun...

Music Cue: General Grevious

A fearsome roar emanates from the tree-line and JiBa leaps into the stream, hurriedly trying to wash the griff blood off him! A huge beast, an eater, bursts into the clearing and lunges at him, biting at his head!

Eater

Its monstrous teeth puncture the helm he wears, but somewhat miraculously, he survives the attack. The battle is long and fierce as the group shoot upon the terrifying beast from a variety of positions...and the creature is blasted into submission and, eventually put out of its misery, with Kira delivering the killing blow. The Godking and his party come out from their hiding places and congratulate the party on their achievement, with Kira being gifted with a Blade of Honour!

Outlaw Kira Riskar

After the hunt, Jimi slips off into the city where he learns that the Godking is loved by his people and that their warlike reputation is a misunderstanding; the creatures enjoy mass-brawls but these are largely bloodless affairs which do not cost lives. Returning to the group unseen, he reports his findings and the plan to assassinate the Godking is abandoned.

When they rejoin the Godking, he reveals that he has been testing the group for the past few days - testing their honesty, biology, strength, and skill in combat - and that as they have passed with flying colours, he agrees to supply the Rebels with the vital food supplies. Before any celebrations can be held however, Sienne Symm contacts the team, informing them that a damaged Imperial shuttle is inbound and that they have to make an emergency blast off, and for the team to lie low while the Long Shot gets help.

As the stricken ship touches down mere moments after the Long Shot has blasted off, the Godking and the team watch from a castle balcony, staring in disbelief as thirty Stormtroopers pour off the vessel! Some of the Godking's people rush to greet the newcomers but their cries of excitement turn to screams of terror as the ship's blaster cannon mercilessly blasts through their ranks, dealing out terrible carnage. Grief-stricken, the Godking, turns to the party and tearfully mutters "Looks like we've joined the Rebellion after all."

A Deadly Little War

The Godking is ready to send two hundred of his troops to deal with the intruders, but the team are concerned they are no match for the Empire's might and decide to try to figure out a plan to deal with the Imperial party. They witness fifteen Stormtroopers leave the shuttle, headed off into the woods. They rightly guess that they spotted the YT-1300 they had confiscated from Jayhawk's pirates and are headed out to learn more about the vessel. It is a pivotal moment as the team decide this is their best opportunity to deal with the Imperial party. Asking if there is another way out of the castle, the Godking informs them that the sewers lead to a well not far from where the ship has landed. The party splits into two with Tarrik, Kira, Skye and Kaleban mounting Likkas to stage a diversion, while Jaden, JiBa and Jimi climb up through the well to spring an attack upon the distracted Stormtroopers.

Music Cue: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul

The gates open and the quartet ride into the plains at full pelt, attracting the Imperials' attention as planned. Fearing a massacre, Jimi leaps out of the well and begins opening fire upon the Stormtroopers nearby the ship. Much of the Stormtrooper fire tears up the well around him - and more Stormtroopers rush from the far side of the ship to engage the Rebel threat!

Mon Calamari Jimi Ackbar

Music Cue: The Forest Battle

JiBa and Jaden also spring out from the well and make a charge towards the stricken ship, engaging and wounding several Stormtroopers on their way! Skye's beast is hit and she crashes to the ground, but she deftly rolls to avoid taking too much punishment!

Scout Skye Bodelyn

Kaleban and Kira close in on the ship and blast Stormtroopers from their mounts. Jimi continues to blast at the Stormtroopers, but he is still under heavy fire, with the cover being the only thing saving him! Tarrik whips his mount to send it into a frenzied attack upon three Stormtroopers in the nearest foxhole, goring them badly!

Music Cue: The Return of the Jedi

JiBa's crazed charge leads him inside the shuttle where, after goring a Stormtrooper with his blade, he reaches the blaster cannon and turns it upon the Stormtroopers outside - tearing through their ranks with deadly efficiency! He is attacked by Imperial Agent Marska who swings a vibe-blade at his skull! It deflects off his helm - the second time in a day it has saved him! - and he returns the compliment, dispatching Marska by driving his own sword through her leg and tearing the wound open with a vicious twist of the blade, spraying blood everywhere! Jimi, now backed up by Skye and the marauding Kira and Kaleban, manage to subdue the remaining Stormtroopers on their side of the ship but seconds before JiBa can disintegrate them with the ship's cannon, Jaden is blasted in the chest and passes out. Furious, Jiba and Tarrik outside finish off the last Stormtroopers before the team pour on to the shuttle and the remaining Imperials onboard surrender!

Brash Pilot Tarrik Nightburner

Blade of Honour

The Godking sends his warriors into the forest where, in territory they are familiar with, they are able to ambush the remaining Stormtroopers, finally bringing the threat to the Anointed Ones to a close.

Music Cue: The Throne Room and End Title

The team are then treated to a feast and presented with medals for their valour in defending his people. JiBa asks for a Blade of Honour and is told that one will be made for each of them, but there are none spare, arranging to have them sent with the first food shipment from Masterhome to Nowhere. He apologises for mistrusting them, explaining that humans had came to visit some months previously - and stolen the Saviour Sword. When pressed, he explains that there was a prophecy that the sword would be wielded by someone from the stars who would lead them to salvation. He believes the prophecy was misread and that, instead, the sword was to be stolen by someone from the stars. As the Long Shot returns, Tarrik drags Jayhawk from the brig and asks the Godking if this is the person who stole the Saviour Sword. He says it is and demands to know where the sword is now. Jayhawk fearfully explains that Vangar, her pirate boss on Pilahni has the weapon. The team persuade the Godking that cold-blooded murder is not their way and Jayhawk is returned to the Long Shot. The Godking thanks them all warmly for their help in saving his people from further horror and bids them goodbye. The Rebels patch up the Imperial shuttle and, along with the Long Shot and the Martinette, blast off. Although they are keen to travel to Palahni to retrieve the Saviour Sword, they decide to return first to Nowhere.

To be continued...

Closing Reflections: 

As mentioned at the top of the post, this adventure was played across three sessions and was fairly challenging for the party. I must admit being fairly shocked when I read how many Stormtroopers would be pouring off that shuttle. JiBa in particular was extremely fortunate to make it through alive, being badly wounded in the battle with the pirates, nearly having his head torn off by the Eater, and then running past dozens of Stormtroopers to get on board the Imperial shuttle. Without med-packs, and successful medical skill rolls from his fellow PCs, he would not have made it. Oh, and he and a few of the characters also survived the final battle because of Force Points! It was the perfect time to use them though!

I made a huge mistake during the battle, as I got too tied up in what the Stormtroopers were doing, forgetting to use that ship blaster against the marauding Rebels. Next time I will not make such a glaring error - my players have been warned! Once scale was taken into consideration, the ship's cannon was dealing out a massive 12D of damage. That would have vaporised anyone it hit!

I was forced to improvise a few times too, as, against what is set in the text, my players decided they would keep the pirates' Martinette and land it in a forest clearing not far from the castle. This worked in their favour as it meant, spotting it while landing, the Imperials dispatched fifteen Stormtroopers to investigate! In addition, the players sought another route out of the castle (there wasn't one) so when I spotted the well, I came up with the idea that the sewers led there and also allowed them to ride the Likkas when it was suggested. I hate to say "no" to my players when they come up with ideas and think it's good GMing to try to accommodate their plans where possible. None of what they were asking seemed unreasonable, so I was happy to roll with their plans, especially since it seemed fun to do so.

I also added a few extra touches to the original text of the published adventure, the Blade of Honour and the Saviour Sword being obvious examples. While Jayhawk had always thieved from the Godking, I decided that she would have passed the Saviour Sword on to her boss, Vangar, who, Star Wars REUP GMs will be familiar with. He is usually found on Prexiar but it made sense to relocate his operations to Pilahni, another world in the Fakir Sector where this campaign is set. I'm trying to find ways to disguise the obvious episodic and unavoidable standalone nature of the published adventures. The idea is to form a coherent narrative which feels as though the PCs are in charge of their adventures even though they are on fairly rigid rails.

One major criticism I have of the published adventure is that the suggested Character Point rewards of 3-6 points for the entire adventure seems extremely harsh; the team dealt with pirates, an incredibly tough Likka and over 20 Stormtroopers in the climactic battle. I personally would give that kind of reward each week, but perhaps I'm overly generous in my player rewards. Everyone has accepted though that we'll stick to the guidelines. One the plus side, this should prevent the team becoming overpowered for a long time to come...

Musical Cues: I know at least one fellow GM liked the mention of musical cues in a previous post, so I've outlined those cues below and will continue to do so in future write ups. It is something I take some time thinking about ahead of sessions, as I want to evoke certain scenes or bring a certain feeling to certain encounters. I know this is stretching things a little, but I do want my players to feel like John Williams has scored the game for them!

Pirate Ship Attack: Into the Trap
Pirate Ship Boarding Party: Imperial Attack

Meeting the Anointed Ones: The Little People Work / Luke and Leia
Meeting the Godking: The City in the Clouds

The Hunt: The Land of the Sandpeople
The Appearance of the Eater: General Grevious

The Imperials Arrive: The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul
The Battle: The Forest Battle / The Return of the Jedi

Rewards and Conclusion: The Throne Room and End Title

  

Star Wars D6 Adventure: Escape From Yavin

Star Wars: Flight from Yavin

Notes: This is an introductory mission for a new party of PCs, intended to be run on the Star Wars D6 system. It begins in the immediate aftermath of the battle of Yavin and leads into the Long Shot Campaign which can be found in the "Classic Campaigns" book published by West End Games. Note that the ship referred to as "Home" in those materials is replaced with a former CIS capital ship called "Nowhere" at the end of the adventure. The adventure was written for my own group of players - Tarrik Nightburner who is mentioned is one of my PCs, the only one not on the freighter called the Centurion. Nightburner fought at the battle of Yavin, where Green Squadron acted as decoys to pull most of the Empire's fleet of TIEs away from Red and Gold Squadron's trench run attack. He was the sole survivor. Also included are a few R2 prompts which relate to soundboards I sourced from the net (but have lost the links for, sorry). The music cues in the text relate to tracks from John Williams' soundtracks for the Original Trilogy. I do not own any of the images, all of which were all sourced from Google images. This site contains no advertising and is not for profit. 

Opening crawl for players.

Music Cue: The Imperial March

Space. A crippled TIE fighter drifts in the distance. The underside of a dark grey gargantuan ship slides into view and passes overhead for what seems like an eternity. Its tractor beams lock on to the stricken craft and bring it in to one of the hangar bays. This is Darth Vader’s personal flagship, the Super Star Destroyer, Executor.

In the hangar bay, Darth Vader emerges from the TIE Advanced Fighter and is met by Admiral Ozzel.

Ozzel: My lord, its is a relief to see you again. When we heard of the destruction of the Death Star, we feared the worst.

Vader: You may dispense with the pleasantries, Admiral. The evacuation of the Rebel base  may not yet be over. Set course for the moon of Yavin IV. I want those rebels. 

Ozzel: Yes, my lord. It will be done.

Wipe to:

The Centurion - a modified YT-1300 - drops out of hyperspace and begins its descent into the atmosphere of the jungle moon of Yavin 4.

Cut to:

Yavin base. As you troop off the Centurion, you see the base is a hive of activity with personnel hurriedly loading up their transports and ships blasting off every other minute. Out of the confusion, a large man strides up to you. A pilot and an R2 unit hurry after him. As he addresses you, he casts a scrutinising gaze across each one of you. He doesn’t look impressed.

Shepherd: I’m Commander Shepherd - and you’re late. We’re a little rushed for time so I don’t have time for a proper briefing. You missed the main excitement. The Death Star has been destroyed, but not before the location of this base was uncovered. It’s a sure bet half the Imperial Fleet are on their way here. The evacuation is well underway but we’ve several more transports requiring escort. Nightburner here will help you but we’ve still got two spare X-Wings that weren’t employed in the attack upon the Death Star, anyone want to pilot one? 

Allow the PCs to volunteer. If anyone asks about why they don’t have enough pilots, Shepherd explains that many of their best pilots were killed in the attack at Scarif base. As soon as they’ve done so… 

A klaxon sounds across the base as something blocks out the sun. Rebels look to the sky and cry out in dismay.

Music Cue: Rebels At Bay

Shepherd: Looks like we’ve run out of time! You’ll be protecting two troop transports. Once they make the jump, you can follow too. Your designation is Green Squadron. Volunteers, get to the hangar and into your X-Wings! The rest of you, back on your freighter - and take my droid R2-G8 with you. He’ll provide your ship’s hyperdrive with the co-ordinates to the rendezvous point. 

[R2 Unconvinced Grumbling & Taking the Comlink] Do as your told R2! They’ll take care of you, won’t you? 

The X-Wings are already programmed for the jump. You’re Green Team. Get to your ships - and may the force be with you!

Allow the PCs to get to their ships and get set for take-off. As they do so, the transports they have to escort take off. Comms flash on each ship’s dashboards. They receive the following communication:

Alliance HQ: Green Squadron this is Alliance HQ. Enemy fighters coming your way. Head for bearing 6-7-3. You’ll have to navigate a small asteroid belt before you can make the jump  to hyperspace, but it should offer you some protection from those fighters. Those transports will be right behind you, use your sensors to clear a path. A few of our flyboys use it for training, they say the larger the asteroid, the easier they are to dodge. Still, the smaller asteroids will do less damage! Good luck. 

Music Cue: The Imperial March

Wipe to:

Lord Vader stands on the bridge of his vessel, staring out the viewport at the forest moon of Yavin IV. Admiral Ozzel briskly approaches him.

Ozzel: Lord Vader, the Rebels are scrambling their transports in several directions to split our forces. One group is headed into a small asteroid field. Sending TIE fighters in to pursue would be a wasted-

Vader: Asteroids do not concern me Admiral, I want those ships destroyed.

Ozzel: As you wish, my lord. [Ozzel turns and barks orders to the command crew] Scan the asteroid field! Find the Rebels and guide our TIE squadrons to them!

The Asteroid Chase: 

Music Cues: Hyperspace & the Asteoird Field. Once TIEs are involved, run Ben’s Death and TIE Fighter Attack

Use the map provided. The team must negotiate the asteroid field and deal with incoming TIE fighters! Assign a squadron of 3 TIE Fighters for each Rebel ship (excluding transports) there is in the field. This is a hard challenge, but, it’s likely that a few of the fighters may be destroyed inside the field.

Scale: Each square on the grid represents movement of 2 Space units. This means that the YT-1300 can move 2 squares in standard movement, while an X-Wing can move 4.

Sensors: These will be vitally important in discovering both asteroids and enemy fighters. Anyone working sensors will know that with so many objects ahead of them, their scopes will be overwhelmed with readings. A very easy Knowledge roll or communication to Alliance HQ will provide them with the information that limiting the number of items they are scanning will provide them with clearer results. It will be extremely difficult to find the smaller asteroids and enemy fighters.

Sensors will pick up the closest asteroid/fighter in their range. Difficulty increases by one level per number of additional of obstacles the person searching is looking for. Check which type of scanning each PC is using. The difficulty of each roll is further adjusted by the size of the nearest object (or furtherest of those a ship can within the range it is searching for if looking for more than one object). Switching to Search will provide the best chances of identifying objects but this will create blind spots because the scanning can only happen in one direction. Once an asteroid has been picked up on Sensors, it is permanently revealed.

Note that asteroids can move at the GM’s discretion to ratchet up the tension further!

Number of Objects Scanned For: Difficulty 5 +5 per obstacle searched for beyond 1.

Size of Asteroid: Huge: 0, Large +5, Small +10

TIE Fighters: Number remaining in squadron: 1: +10, 2: +5, 3: 0

Example: A Search scan on a YT-1300 provides the user with a bonus 2D to their Sensors skill of 3D, giving them 5D. They decide to look for 2 objects. The closest 2 objects are both asteroids, one Huge and one Small. The base difficulty is 10 (for 2 objects). A roll of 10 will be required to discover the Huge asteroid while 20+ required to find the small asteroid. A roll of 0-9 will find nothing, 10-19 will uncover the huge asteroid, while 20+ will uncover both. Had the closest 2 objects been 2 Small asteroids, a roll of 20+ would be required to find the closest one, while 30+ would be required to find both.

Movement: Moving through the field is extremely difficult, especially if Sensors do not pick up asteroids. The difficulties are as follows - but most can be mitigated by flying at Cautious or Cruising Speeds.

Base Difficulty Roll: 16+ (Difficult)

Flying Across Space with Revealed Asteroid: Huge: 0, Large +5, Small +10 

Flying Across Space with Unrevealed Asteroid: Huge: 5, Large +10, Small +15

See Starship Movement Failures on page 133 for what happens if there is a failure. 

Asteroid Damage: Small Asteroid: 2D, Large Asteroid 4D, Huge Asteroid 6D, modified by the ships’ speed as shown on page 134.

Shields: Starship shields are a reactive skill.

Starship Gunnery: Range for all ships is as follows: 2 Squares: Short, 3-6 Squares: Medium, 7-13: Long

TIE Deployment and Movement: The first TIE squadron will deploy at the opposite end of the board. The second on one flank, moving in to hit the convoy from one side. Any other squadrons will deploy at the far end of the board along with the first squadron. They can move 5 spaces but will move cautiously, 5 squares every 2 turns (or 3 when it becomes too tricky to monitor). 

Key TIE Stats: Straighter Piloting 4D+1 (Manoeuvrability 2D), Starship Gunnery 4D (Fire Control 2D). Hull 2D. Space: 5 squares per 2 turns

TIE Tactics: The TIEs have been tasked with destroying the Troop Transports first. The Transports have a Hull of 8D + 1D shields. TIE laser cannon have damage of 5D so it may take some time to inflict much damage. However, if Rebel ships intervene, single ships will break off from the squadron to deal with attackers in dogfights (breaking off if there is only the one).

Once the PCs exit the opposite end of the play area, they can make the jump to light speed and escape!

Cut to: 

Music Cue: The Imperial March

On the bridge of the Executor, Darth Vader stares out as the Rebel ships vanish out of sight. Admiral Ozzel feels a tug at his throat and falls to the ground…

Captain Piett: Lord Vader, the Emperor commands you to make contact with him.

Ozzel feels Vader’s force choke release and he lies on the deck gasping for breath as Vader walks past him, his cloak billowing in his wake.

Wipe to:

Music Cue: The Princess Appears

A tiny dot of light streaks across a star field. We then cut, looking back at a YT-1300 which is hurtling towards us through hyperspace. We close in on the cockpit and see the smuggler captain and his co-pilot turning out of their chairs. We follow them through to the ship’s corridors to the main hold where they join the rest of the new recruits bound for the rendezvous point, two of whom are playing holochess. 

Allow the PCs an opportunity to role-play out their proper introductions to one another. As soon as they have done so, the hyperdrive signals that their arrival at the rendezvous is imminent.

Wipe to:

Music Cue: Finale start at 1:15, read from 1:18

Your ships drop out of hyperspace in an area of space your sensors indicate is in the Minos Cluster. You see a battered old capital ship, a relic from the Clone Wars by the look of it. Huge sections of the ship, which you know should be twinkling with light, are in darkness. As you close in, you can see activity in the hangar bay where a number of X-Wings and a few A-Wings have landed. Astromech droids buzz across the ship’s hull, their arc-welders flickering in the dark. Several troop transports hang in space around the vessel.

At 1:45

Commander Shepherd’s voice crackles over the comms in greeting. “Glad you rookies could make it! You’re clear for landing. Welcome…to Nowhere.”